16/06/2023
Dedicated to presentations by the Board and the Vice Presidents General Deputy and their teams.
The Mass was celebrated by Fr Giuseppe Guerra, who was also invited to participate in the assembly to speak about the situation of the process of canonisation of Ozanam, which is progressing positively. This was followed by a spiritual talk by Fr Motto which focused on fraternity and good communication within the Society of St Vincent de Paul.
In the afternoon, it was the turn of the Vice Presidents General Deputy.
Brother Joseph Makwinja, 1st VPG Deputy, and his team (consisting of Vice President for Formation, sis. Marisa Tellez, and International Vice President for Youth, bro. Willian Alves).
In the area of formation, the recent meeting held at the end of 2022 with the territorial delegates of formation was highlighted. In the area of youth, mention was made of the meeting of international delegates that took place at the end of 2022 in Paris and the next World Youth Day at the beginning of August 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.
The 2nd VPG Deputy, Brother Sebastián Gramajo, also provided the most important information about his work together with his team, composed of the International Vice President for Structure, Brother Maurice Yeung, and the International Vice President for Institutional Relations, Brother Antonio Gianfico.
In the area of institutional relations, we highlighted our participation to events of the Vincentian Family and the relationship with the Holy See, the good evolution of the process of canonization of F. Ozanam, and the good work with other institutions close to the SSVP with which we try to sign collaboration agreements. Regarding the international structure, it is important to highlight the follow-up and coordination meetings of the International Territorial Vice Presidents and the necessary coordination to unify our actions and strengthen or develop the presence of the SSVP in the world.
The third Vicepresidency General Deputy, headed by Brother Juan Manuel Buergo, is made up of the International Vice Presidency for Solidarity and Special Projects, coordinated by Brother Ralph Middlecamp, and the International Vice Presidency for Governance and Strategic Affairs, headed by Brother Alfons Ten Velde.
In the area of solidarity, the International Commission for Aid and Development (CIAD) and the International Solidarity Fund (FIS) are doing a great deal of work. On the other hand, great strides are being made regarding the protocol for good governance within the SSVP and internal conflicts that sometimes occur within the SSVP are being resolved through the Ombudsman.
Training workshops for SSVP national presidents start tomorrow.